Dozens of mourners turned out yesterday to pay their last respects to former East Kilbride provost Jimmy Smith.

The great-grandad was provost from 1972 to 1975 and was instrumental in the urban regeneration of the new town.

He passed away suddenly, but peacefully, on Monday, July 24, aged 93.

Jimmy was laid to rest following a funeral Mass at St Bride’s Church.

Father Rafal Sobieszuk delivered his eulogy, written by his children, who described their beloved dad as “kind and unforgettable”.

They said: “To his family, Jimmy was full of wit and humour, formidable when engaging in political debate around the dinner table, but also loving, generous and genuinely interested in their lives and the lives of extended family and friends.

“He delighted in hearing of any milestones and achievements, which were often rewarded with a bundle of notes inside a greeting card!

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Born in Govan, Glasgow, in 1924, Jimmy grew up in Drumoyne and became the main support for his mother and sister when his father and brother died during his teenage years.

He worked on the Post Office telephones until 1944 when he was called up for National Service and was posted to the new Comrie Colliery in Fife where he was put to work mending the telephones down the pit.

Jimmy’s passion for politics emerged after gaining a degree in mathematics at Glasgow University where he debated for the Labour Club in the Men’s Union.

Jimmy was a member of East Kilbride Development Corporation before being named provost of East Kilbride

He met his wife Frances Martin, a midwife, at a tennis club dance and they married in 1951.

Their first child, Mary, was born in 1952 followed by Claire, Kathleen, Brian and Colin.

After teaching at secondary schools in Glasgow, Jimmy took up a post at St Bride’s High in East Kilbride.

His teaching career ended at St Patrick’s High School in Coatbridge where he became Rector.

Jimmy’s interest in politics grew when the family set up home in Calderwood after East Kilbride was named a new town.

He was elected as a town councillor, became a member of East Kilbride Development Corporation and eventually was named provost of East Kilbride.

Jimmy was passionate about the development of East Kilbride as a thriving new town and often referred to it as ‘glorious sun-drenched East Kilbride’!

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Throughout their married life, Jimmy and Frances had an active social life in East Kilbride with a wide circle of friends and neighbours. They enjoyed outings to the Village Theatre and East Kilbride Sports Club, where Jimmy was honorary president of the rugby club.

The couple also shared a love of classical music and attended many concerts over the years.

Family life included regular trips to the Trossachs and Ben Lomond in an old Ford Zephyr car as well as holidaying in all parts of Scotland and venturing to Donegal in Ireland, France, Portugal and Rome, Italy.

The addition of his grandchildren Susie, Lewis, Caitlin, Nina, Eilidh, Anna and Michael made our frequent family gatherings larger than ever, and Jimmy delighted in the addition of his great-grandchildren, Sophie and James, to these occasions.

Following his retirement from St Patrick’s, Jimmy continued to lead a full and active life. He became part-time field officer with the head teachers’ association of Scotland and was elected as an assessor for the General Council of Glasgow University Court.

The Ballerup delegation are welcomed to the New Town in September 1968. On the right of Provost Wright is the Borgmester (Mayor) Kaj Burckhardt, third from the left is Vagn Tovgaard and the EK councillors are Gordon Marshall, Jack Conaghan, Charlie Hoy, David Maguire, Bill Niven, Bob Oattes, Isobel Binning, Jenny Auld, Jimmy Kane, John Gordon, and Jimmy Smith

After Frances died in 1998, Jimmy lived independently in East Kilbride and Hyndland before moving to Mugdock House in Bearsden where he spent his final years being cared for.

There he played his beloved mouth organ while listening to jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Sidney Bechet and enjoying his favourite whiskies in the company of his family and friends.

His life was a long one; well lived and full of happiness, challenge and achievement, but with his love of Frances and his family at its heart.

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East Kilbride was named as a Burgh in June 1963 with four provosts serving during its 12-year lifespan – John Gordon (1963-66), John Wright (1966-69), Bill Niven (1969-72) and Jimmy Smith (1972-75).

Paying tribute to his successor, Mr Niven said: “We now mourn Jimmy’s passing and I reflect on those hectic years as the Burgh was being shaped under the able leadership of Town Clerk Gordon McNay and the East Kilbride Development Corporation, established in 1947.

“The town grew apace in terms of housing, economic expansion and creation of amenities. Between 1947 and 1972 the population grew from 2500 to 65,000.

“Jimmy served his three-year term with distinction and his sense of humour never deserted him. He worked assiduously to ensure that East Kilbride became a landmark of urban regeneration.”